←1866
←1866
Full particulars are given in Strype and Fuller. They seem to have consisted of meetings of Clergy within large districts, under the presidency of some experienced Minister, to discuss seriatim passages of Scripture previously proposed—always commencing and ending with prayer. Lord Bacon (Treatise concerning the Church) recommends their adoption in the Universities. Queen Elizabeth, influenced by her favourite, the Earl of Leicester, put them down by an arbitrary enactment, and in opposition to a most noble and Christian protest from Archbishop Grindal. They were, however, partially revived in the next reign by the connivance or encouragement of Archbishop Matthew. Archbishop Tenison enlarged and improved the design. His circular letter, April 6, 1699 (quoted by Dr. Woodward—account of Religious Societies, ch. iv.) gives the following excellent advice. ‘It were to be wished, that the Clergy of every neighbourhood would agree upon frequent meetings to consult for the good of religion in general, and to advise with one another about any difficulties that may happen in their particular cures—such as, ‘By what methods may any evil custom be most readily broken? How may a sinner be most effectually reclaimed? And in general, how may each of them in their several circumstances contribute most to the advancement of religion’? ‘Such consultations as these, besides the mutual benefit of advice and instruction, will be a mutual means to excite the zeal of some, and reduce the over-eagerness of others to a due temper, and to provoke all to a religious emulation in the improvement of piety and order within their respective parishes.’ Bishop Burnet (Past. Care, ch. viii.), and in our own time, Bishop Burgess, have sanctioned these meetings. Herman of Cologne had combined Archbishops Grindal’s and Tenison’s plans in his system of Reformation. See his work, ut supra, fol. 273. Would not periodical or occasional meetings of Christian Ministers for social prayer exclusively, and with a special reference to the outpouring of the Spirit, command a blessing upon their work? Matt, 18.19, 20.